Availability

Adults: Initially, 20 mg P.O. daily. May be increased, as needed, at 4-week intervals to a maximum of 80 mg/day as a single dose or in divided doses. Or 20 mg P.O. (extended-release) daily. May be increased, as needed, at 4-week intervals to a maximum daily dosage of 60 mg.

➣ Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in boys and postmenarchal girls ages 10 and older who have high LDL and cholesterol levels despite adequate trial of diet therapy

Patient monitoring

Patient teaching

• Tell patient to take immediate-release tablets with evening meal or extended-release tablets at bedtime.• Instruct patient not to break, crush, or chew extended-release tablets.• Emphasize importance of cholesterol-lowering diet and other therapies, such as exercise and weight control.

☞ Instruct patient to report unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, as well as signs or symptoms of hepatotoxicity (fever, malaise, abdominal pain, yellowing of skin or eyes, clay-colored stools, or tea-colored urine).

☞ Advise patient to contact prescriber immediately if she is breastfeeding or suspects pregnancy.• Tell patient not to use herbs without consulting prescriber.• Inform patient that drug may cause photosensitivity. Caution him to avoid excessive sun or heat lamp light.• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, tests, foods, and herbs mentioned above.

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.